Lighter



0- H. G. SHAKESPEARE ETAL 2,220,973

LIGHTER Filed Nov. 9, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Hem" 6 a/m/r fiz I f /fa'm G. SHAKESPEARE ETAL 2,220,973

LIGHTER Filed Nov. 9, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 T ORNEYS 1940- H. G. SHAKESPEARE EE'AL 0,9 3

LIGHTER Filed Nov. 9, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I ITToRNEm.

Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHTER Application November 9, 1936, Serial No. 199,944

Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved electric lighter provided with circuit breaking means acting automatically when the igniter element reaches incandescence.

Second, to provide a lighter of the type described which is characterized by its compactness and simplicity of assembly.

Third, to provide a lighter of the type described which is positive in operation.

Further objects relating to details and economics of the invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a view mainly in longitudinal section of the plug and socket elements of the invention in assembled relation, the parts being shown in normal position prior to manual actuation to complete an electric heating circuit and the current supply means being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partially broken away and in longitudinal section of the plug element, the parts thereof being shown in actuated or circuit making position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating a modified form of plug assembly.

Fig. 4 is a view mainly in longitudinal section illustrating the plug and socket members of a modified form or embodiment of the invention.

Fig, 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 55 of Fig. '7 illustrating the actuated or contact making position of the parts.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating the position of the parts when the heater becomes incandescent and the electric circuit broken.

Fig. '7 is a sectional View on a line corresponding to line ll of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a view mainly in longitudinal section of a still further modification of our invention.

Fig, 9 is a fragmentary view in section on line 9-9 of Fig. 10 illustrating the parts in actuated or circuit making position.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section on line i0!! of Fig. 9.

The devices embodied in the present invention are intended to be mounted in any desired position, but preferably on the instrument board of an automobile, and the inventive features thereof concern automatic release or circuit breaking means whereby when the heater element embodied therein reaches incandescence, the electric heating circuit will be broken and at the same time a signal will notify the user that the heater element is in properly heated condition.

Specifically, the invention contemplates the mounting of a bimetallic element or thermocouple in the plug or removable element of the lighter, the bimetallic element by its flexing action serving to repel a manually operative switch member and thus break the circuit, Further, the invention specifically contemplates the formation of such an element or thermocouple, whether it is mounted in the plug or socket, whereby the same constitutes a latch or detent to hold a manually depressible switch member in circuit making position, yet is capable of flexing upon reaching a certain degree of heat whereby the switch member is released and the circuit broken.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral l indicates an electrically conductive socket member which may be connected to ground on the instrument board of an automobile in a known manner, the socket being provided with a rounded panel engaging flange 2. Current is supplied to the lighter from a source of current supply connected by means (not shown) to a terminal member 3 provided with an enlarged terminal-forming head l which serves to secure a contact member 5 having spring contact fingers 6 to the socket. The terminal member 3 and contact member 5 are spaced and insulated from the socket by means of insulating disks l, 8 spaced respectively exteriorly and interiorly of the socket, A washer 9 and not it are employed to secure the socket parts in the position shown.

A removable plug member generally indicated by the reference numeral 5 I is sliclably engageable in socket l, the plug member consisting of an insulating handle ii, a flanged conducting plate I3 fixedly secured with respect to the handle, an in sulating barrel it of suitable material, such as molded Bakelite, threadedly engaging the flange of the conducting plate, and a metallic thimble i5 which is in turn threadedly engaged with the barrel M.

The thimble carries on its forward or inner end a heating element iii secured at one end to the thimble by a rivet ll. At its other end the heating element is secured to a central conducting post l8 which extends through a pair of mica disks l9 provided with a plurality of perforations it. As illustrated in Fig. l the thimble is upset on its inner side at it to secure the disks l9 relative to heater element E6.

The thimble it? is formed to provide a seat 22 for a thermostatic control element or bimetallic disk 23, said disk having an aperture 24 therein which receives a contact button 25 of a rivet-like form which clamps a pair of insulating washers 21 on opposite sides of the bimetallic disk, The button is accordingly insulated from the bimetallic disk.

We slidably mount a conducting or switch pin 28 in plug II, making provision whereby the pin is electrically connected to conducting plate I3. This provision in the embodiment illustrated consists of a conducting sleeve 29 wherein the pin is slidably mounted, the sleeve being fixedly mounted in handle I2 and being upset at 30 whereby to clamp resilient detent 3I in fixed relation to the conducting plate. Detent 3| is adapted to engage a groove 32 in the conducting pin 28 when the same is in actuated position as shown in solid lines in Fig, 2. Such actuation completes an electric heating circuit through the heater element I6 inasmuch as the flange of conducting plate I3 is in electrical contact with socket I through spring contact fingers 34 punched out in the socket. The circuit is as follows: From terminal member 3 through contact fingers 6, thimble I5, heating element I6, conducting post I8, contact button 25, pin 28, sleeve 29, plate I3, and fingers of socket I to ground. Obviously, the switch pin is maintained in circuit making position by the resilient fingers 3I and the heater element becomes heated.

Heat from the heater element will be radiated through openings 20 in the mica disks I8 and the bimetallic disk or thermostatic element 23 will accordingly become heated. At a certain point under the influence of this heat bimetallic disk 23 will flex outwardly, whereupon switch pin 28 will be repelled from its circuit making position illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 2 to its circuit breaking position illustrated in dotted lines in that figure, thus interrupting the heater circuit, At the same time the repelling movement of pin 28 will be accompanied by an audible snapping noise to apprise the user that the lighter plug II may be removed from the socket and used. When the thermocouple 23 cools it returns to its original position shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. 3 we disclose a modified form of mounting for the bimetallic element 23, wherein the same is seated between a shoulder I4I formed in insulating barrel I4 and the end of thimble I5, which end is struck downwardly slightly at 348 to insure a proper anchoring action. In other respects, the constructions are identical, and it may be noted that the construction of Fig. 3 enables the lighter to be considerably compacted in size.

In Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7 a modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated, characterized mainly by the fact that the bimetallic element or thermocouple, in addition to being employed as a release control means, has the further function of mechanically maintaining the parts in circuit making position until the heater reaches incandescence.

Referring to Fig. 4, the conducting post I8 secures a bimetallic element 35 in the form of a strip bent, roughly, in U-shaped configuration and having return spring bights 358 and inturned end extensions 36 which are adapted to engage or latch with pin 28 in the circuit making position thereof, as indicated in Fig. 5. The pin is recessed at 31 to receive the ends 36.

Slidable electric contact is made from pin 28 to socket I through a conducting element 38 secured to insulating handle 39 by means of a headed knurled pin 48 driven into a hole 4I drilled in the handle. Conducting element 38 has a rounded nose portion 42 slidably engaging pin 28 and an ofifset extension 43 terminating in a rounded contact 44 which is in slidable electrical contact with socket I. Pin 28 is normally urged outwardly by compression spring 45 surrounding the pin between the insulating switch button 33 thereon and the base of the hole 46 which is drilled in the handle. Outward movement of the pin is limited by lugs 41 upset therein.

It will be seen that the pin 28 is maintained in actuated or circuit making position against post I8 by the resilient retaining action of the catch ends 36 of bimetallic element 35, thus eliminating the need for the spring fingers 3| and groove 32 which are employed in the modification of Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Upon becoming heated, the bimetallic element will fiex causing the ends 36 to spread as indicated in Fig. 6, with the result that pin 28 will be repelled or retracted outwardly by spring 45, thus breaking the electrical heating circuit.

Both of the modified forms include an annular stop 48 formed in the socket I to limit inward movement of the plug. In all other respects the modified form of Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the electrical heating circuit being as follows: From terminal 3 and head 4 through contact fingers 6, thimble I5, heating element I6, post I8, pin 28, conducting element 38, and socket I to ground.

In Figs. 8, 9, and 10 we illustrate a still further embodiment of our invention which utilizes the latching thermocouple in a mounting in the socket member I. The bimetallic element 23 consists of a strip of, roughly, U-shaped form having inturned latch ends 49 adapted to engage the pin 28 as indicated in Fig. 9 when the pin is depressed manually into contacting engagement with head 4 of socket I.

The bimetallic element is clamped in the socket by the head 4 and washer and nut 9, I0, as previously described, and is insulated from the socket by disks I, 8.

The heater element I6 is mounted and electrically connected at one end to conducting ring 58 which is in turn in electrical contact with the inner face I of sliding contact sleeve 52, which glaeeve threadedly receives the insulating handle The inner end of heating element I6 is fixed to a conducting sleeve 54 slidably receiving and in electrical contact with the switch pin 28. Sleeve 54 is insulated from face 5I of conducting sleeve 52 by means of an insulating disk 55, and we provide on the side of disk 55 opposite face 5I a frictional spring clip having fingers 5'I engaging pin 28 at an enlarged portion 58 thereof, which frictional contact tends to yieldingly resist movement of pin 28 in either direction. Sleeve 54 is upset at 58 to hold friction member in place against insulating disk 55.

Lugs or stops 60 struck out from socket I limit inward movement of plug II by engaging the inner end of the plug body member 52.

In operation finger button 33 is depressed to actuate switch member 28 into electrical contact with terminal head 4, as indicated in Fig. 9, the pin passing latch ends 49 of bimetallic element 23 and the fingers snapping into recess 31. In this position an electric heating circuit is completed through terminal 3, switch member 28, sleeve 54, heating element I6, ring 58, sleeve 52, and socket I to ground, and the circuit is maintained until igniter element I6 becomes heated. The bimetallic element 23 likewise becoming heated flexes as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9, with the result that latch fingers 49 are spread and switch member 28 is released from the retaining action thereof, whereupon spring 45 urges the switch member outwardly against the frictional gripping action of fingers 51. Thus the circuit is broken and the igniter plug may be manually removed. As in all of the modifications, upon becoming cool the bimetallic element will return to its original position.

From the foregoing the advantages of this novel construction will be clear. The lighter is simple and compact in construction and economical of production. Its action is unfailing and the parts are not susceptible of appreciable wear, so the life of the instrument is equivalent to the life of the heater element.

We have illustrated and described our improvements in embodiments which we consider very practical. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt our improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

. 1. In a cigar lighter, a socket member, a coacting plug member provided with an igniter element, contacts on said socket member and said igniter element normally engaging when said plug member is positioned in the socket member, a bimetallic disk mounted in said plug member on the side of the igniter element opposite the socket contacts and having conducting means normally in electrical contact with said igniter element, a manually actuated switch pin slidably mounted in said plug member and adapted when actuated to contact said conducting means on said bimetallic disk and electrically connect said conducting means and the socket to complete a heating circuit to said igniter element, and means 'resiliently holding said switch pin in actuated position, the heating of said bimetallic disk from said heating element causing said disk to flex away from the electrical contact engaged thereby breaking said circuit and retracting said switch pin against the action of said switch holding means.

2. In a cigar lighter, a socket member, a coacting plug member provided with an igniter element, contacts on said socket member and said igniter element normally engaging when said plug member is positioned in the socket member, a bimetallic element mounted in said plug member and having conducting means normally in electrical contact with said igniter element, a manually actuated switch pin slidably mounted in said plug member and adapted when actuated to contact said conducting means on said bimetallic disk and electrically connect said conducting means and the socket to complete a heating circuit to said igniter element, and means resiliently holding said switch pin in actuated position,

the heating of said bimetallic disk from said heating element causing said disk to flex away from the electrical contact engaged thereby breaking said circuit and retracting said switch pin against the action of said switch holding means.

3. In a cigar lighter, a socket member, a coacting plug member provided with an igniter element, contacts on said socket member and said igniter element normally engaging when said plug member is positioned in the socket member, a bimetallic element mounted in said plug member and having conducting means normally in elec trical contact with said igniter element, a manually actuated switch pin slidably mounted in said plug member and adapted when actuated to contact said conducting means on said bimetallic disk and electrically connect said conducting means and the socket to complete a heating circuit to said igniter element, the heating of said bimetallic disk from said heating element causing said disk to flex away from the electrical con tact engaged thereby breaking said circuit and retracting said switch pin.

4. In a cigar lighter having a fixed socket member and a removable plug member slidable therein and provided with a heater element, means carried by said socket and plug to form an electrical contact between said socket and the heater element when said plug is positioned in said socket, means for completing an electrical circuit through said heater element comprising a contact button normally engaging said heater element, a manually actuated switch adapted in actuated position to contact said button, a spring detent member acting to resiliently maintain said switch in actuated position, and means electrically connecting said switch with said socket, and means to break said circuit comprising a bimetallic member carrying said contact button, said bimetallic member being mounted in said plug member and adapted to flex on being heated to disengage said switch from said contact.

5. In a cigar lighter having a fixed socket member and a removable plug member slidable therein and provided with a heater element, means carried by said socket and plug to form an electrical contact between said socket and the heater element when said plug is positioned in said socket, means for completing an electrical circuit through said heater element comprising a contact button normally engaging said heater element, a manually actuated switch adapted in actuated position to contact said button, and means electrically connecting said switch with said socket, and means to break said circuit comprising a bimetallic member carrying said 0011- tact button, said bimetallic member being mounted in said plug member and adapted to flex on being heated to disengage said switch from said contact.

HENRY G. SHAKESPEARE. WILLIAM G. BALZ. 

